PCOS How to Manage PCOS as a Teen By Nicole Galan, RN Nicole Galan, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Nicole Galan, RN, is a registered nurse and the author of "The Everything Fertility Book." Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 31, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Lauren Schlanger, MD Medically reviewed by Lauren Schlanger, MD LinkedIn Lauren Schlanger, MD, is a board-certified primary care physician. She is an assistant professor at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects females, usually beginning during the teenage or young adult years. The condition causes the body to make excess androgens, including testosterone. Too much testosterone can cause hair growth on the face or chest, acne, and irregular periods and each person who has PCOS can have a different combination and timing of these symptoms. PCOS typically runs in families and scientists have recently identified some of the genes involved in the syndrome. Ariel Skelley / Getty Images Diagnosis Symptoms of PCOS usually appear during the teenage or young adult years. The diagnostic criteria include: Abnormal ovulation, as indicated by abnormal periodsPhysical signs of elevated androgens, such as excess body hairElevated androgens in the bloodwork Sometimes it takes time for teenagers to get a diagnosis of PCOS because many of the symptoms are similar to normal changes of adolescence. For example, many teens have irregular periods, acne, or rapid body or facial hair growth, even if they don’t have PCOS. Diagnostic Testing If your healthcare provider suspects that you have PCOS, you might have some diagnostic tests. Blood tests are used to check the levels of certain hormones, including FSH, LH, DHEA-S, and testosterone. Your healthcare provider may do an ultrasound of your ovaries to check for cysts, which are common in PCOS. To get the best view, a transvaginal ultrasound may be used. This is where the ultrasound probe is placed into the vagina instead of on top of the abdomen. If you are a virgin or uncomfortable with the procedure, your healthcare provider may consider using abdominal ultrasound, but the ovaries are not as clearly visible with this test. Ovarian cysts can occur with PCOS, although they aren't necessary for a diagnosis. What to Expect With PCOS If you are diagnosed with PCOS, you should know that it’s not deadly or terribly serious. Your healthcare provider may recommend certain lifestyle changes and regular follow-up visits to help you manage the effects of your condition. Managing weight can help reduce some of the hormonal imbalances for some people who have PCOS. People with PCOS often have a harder time losing weight. It might be helpful to see a dietitian, who may suggest strategies to help you reach your optimal weight—such as getting regular exercise and making sure that your meals include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. It's also important that you talk to your healthcare provider if you aren't getting a regular period. Your practitioner might prescribe the birth control pill or other hormonal supplements to ensure that you get a regular period. You should also talk to your healthcare provider about any annoying or embarrassing symptoms that could be caused by your PCOS, such as acne or unwanted hair growth. Often, procedures or medications can help reduce these effects. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Richardson MR. Current perspectives in polycystic ovary syndrome. Am Fam Physician; 68(4):697-704. Panda PK, Rane R, Ravichandran R, Singh S, Panchal H. Genetics of PCOS: A systematic bioinformatics approach to unveil the proteins responsible for PCOS. Genom Data. 2016;8:52-60. doi:10.1016/j.gdata.2016.03.008 Dumitrescu R, Mehedintu C, Briceag I, Purcarea VL, Hudita D. 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